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Let’s get the restoration plan right

Published: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 2:33 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 2:33 p.m.

The BP fine money that is making its way to the Gulf Coast is more important than just the dollars and cents it represents.

The fine money and, just as importantly, the federal government’s decision to send 80 percent of it to the region most affected by the spill, will create a framework for the recovery of the Gulf from the catastrophic 2010 oil spill that damaged so much of our region’s wildlife and other natural resources.

Unfortunately, it could also prove to be a lesson in what individual state governments will do with economic windfalls.

In Mississippi, the fine money is scheduled to pay for a beach-front walkway. In Alabama, it will pay for a luxury hotel and conference center. In Florida, it will buy boardwalks.

Each state must make its own plan for how to use the money, and it is certainly no surprise to see each one making different decisions about how best to do that.

What is surprising and disappointing, though, is that the money is going toward some causes that don’t seem to do much for a coastwide restoration of our Gulf.

“We have this incredibly unique opportunity to build one of the most comprehensive restoration projects in history in a place that really needs it — the Gulf. And we can do that, or we can let the status quo spend it on beach boondoggles,” said Aaron Viles, deputy director of the Gulf Restoration Network.

In Louisiana, there seems to be a concerted effort to spend the money on the right sorts of projects, the kind that will lay the groundwork for more restoration with the money that becomes available.

Our state, for instance, has already announced plans to spend $340 million restoring our protective barrier islands and building centers focused on researching fish stocks.

This round of spending comes after BP made good on a promise to give $1 billion in preliminary recovery money to the Gulf Coast states. More money will surely be available as the federal government imposes fines on the oil giant for its part in the spill.

So there is still an excellent opportunity to steer this money toward the causes and projects that will protect the future of the Gulf and the many communities that depend on it for their economy, their recreation and even their heritage.

Part of the disconnect comes from the fact that the different states have different priorities for the money. The top priority across the coast, though, should be ensuring that the Gulf remains healthy and vibrant for future generations.

Louisiana seems to be on the right path. Let’s hope our neighbors catch up.

<p>The BP fine money that is making its way to the Gulf Coast is more important than just the dollars and cents it represents.</p><p>The fine money and, just as importantly, the federal government's decision to send 80 percent of it to the region most affected by the spill, will create a framework for the recovery of the Gulf from the catastrophic 2010 oil spill that damaged so much of our region's wildlife and other natural resources.</p><p>Unfortunately, it could also prove to be a lesson in what individual state governments will do with economic windfalls.</p><p>In Mississippi, the fine money is scheduled to pay for a beach-front walkway. In Alabama, it will pay for a luxury hotel and conference center. In Florida, it will buy boardwalks.</p><p>Each state must make its own plan for how to use the money, and it is certainly no surprise to see each one making different decisions about how best to do that.</p><p>What is surprising and disappointing, though, is that the money is going toward some causes that don't seem to do much for a coastwide restoration of our Gulf.</p><p>“We have this incredibly unique opportunity to build one of the most comprehensive restoration projects in history in a place that really needs it — the Gulf. And we can do that, or we can let the status quo spend it on beach boondoggles,” said Aaron Viles, deputy director of the Gulf Restoration Network.</p><p>In Louisiana, there seems to be a concerted effort to spend the money on the right sorts of projects, the kind that will lay the groundwork for more restoration with the money that becomes available.</p><p>Our state, for instance, has already announced plans to spend $340 million restoring our protective barrier islands and building centers focused on researching fish stocks.</p><p>This round of spending comes after BP made good on a promise to give $1 billion in preliminary recovery money to the Gulf Coast states. More money will surely be available as the federal government imposes fines on the oil giant for its part in the spill.</p><p>So there is still an excellent opportunity to steer this money toward the causes and projects that will protect the future of the Gulf and the many communities that depend on it for their economy, their recreation and even their heritage.</p><p>Part of the disconnect comes from the fact that the different states have different priorities for the money. The top priority across the coast, though, should be ensuring that the Gulf remains healthy and vibrant for future generations.</p><p>Louisiana seems to be on the right path. Let's hope our neighbors catch up.</p><p>Editorials represent the opinions of</p><p>the newspaper, not of any individual.</p>